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A Christmas Prayer
Jesus, the Light of the World,
as we celebrate your birth . . . .
may we begin to see the world in the
light of the understanding you give us.
As you chose the lowly, the outcasts,
and the poor to receive the greatest
news the world had ever known,
so may we worship you
in meekness of heart.
May we also remember our
brothers and sisters less fortunate
than ourselves in this season of giving.
Amen.
-- From the Thoughts About God website
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 In Our Prayers
The Rev. Alec Brooks (Honorably Retired) whose wife of 63 years, Nancy Brooks, passed to the larger life on December 4th. (Click here to view Nancy's obituary.)
The Rev. Wally Mayton (Midland-Memorial) on being named the Philanthropist of the Year by the Midland Area Community Foundation.
The Rev. Jim Neumann and wife Trish (Saginaw-Second) on the recent birth of their grandchild.
For our congregations and their leaders: Sandusky, The Rev. Mike Wilson, Temporary Supply, The Rev. Ken Hetzel, Moderator of Session
Swartz Creek-Mundy, Elder Gloria Watson, Commission Ruling Elder
Tawas, The Rev. Dr. Rick Vogeley, Pastor; The Rev. Janice Chambers, Pastor Emerita
Twining-Maple Ridge The Rev. Dr. Rick Vogeley, Moderator of Session
Ubly-First, The Rev. Ron Grimes, Moderator of Session
Vassar-First, The Rev. Clint Cozier, Interim Pastor
Yale-First, The Rev. Jim Offrink, Stated Supply
For those Teaching Elders (Ministers of Word and Sacrament) and Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs) who are celebrating Ordination or Commissioning Anniversaries in December and January: Elder Jon Essex (12/2) Commissioned Ruling Elder, Bay City-Memorial The Rev. Robert Fox (1/26) Honorably Retired The Rev. Lucy Der-Garabedian (12/19) Member-At-Large, Chaplain, US Army Elder Kathy Grimes (12/5) Commissioned Ruling Elder, Kinde-First and Elkton-Chandler The Rev. Dr. Rhashell Hunter (1/8) Member-At-Large, General Assembly Staff The Rev. Rich Lawther (1/4) Pastor, Fairgrove Elder Sam McKim (1/1) Commissioned Ruling Elder, Lapeer-First The Rev. Dr. John Musgrave (1/1), Pastor, Flint-First and Presbytery Moderator Elder Peggy Ronk (12/7) Commissioned Ruling Elder, Ithaca-First The Rev. Dr. Rod Shoemaker (12/2), Parish Associate, Saginaw-Warren Avenue Elder Gloria Watson (1/9) Commissioned Ruling Elder, Swartz Creek-Mundy We encourage everyone to send a card or e-mail or make a phone call to those listed. Sometimes a small gesture creates a big smile. Contact information for anyone on this list may be obtained by calling the presbytery office at 800-621-6905 or 989-799-7482 |
 December Presbytery Meeting Minutes Available
The minutes of the December 6th Stated Presbytery Meeting at Midland-Memorial can be found on the Presbytery Meetings page of our website. You will also find a copy of the announcements shown at the meeting and a slideshow summary of the meeting as well as feedback provided about the meeting.
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 Annual Statistics
It's that time of year again...time for the reporting of the Annual Statistics to General Assembly. Information was sent to all Clerks of Session earlier this month that included the congregation's login information.
All of the links and forms that are needed to complete the reports may be found on the Annual Statistics page of our website. All reports are due by February 22, 2012.
As a reminder, only the session needs to approve the report, not the congregation. Information can be entered and edited at any point. Please do not wait until the deadline of February 22nd nears, the system slows down so much that it is often difficult to even gain access by early February. Start entering information now and edit later if needed.
Please note: While the usernames have remained the same, GA has changed the passwords for all of the congregations this year. In each case, the only thing that has changed is that they have added an exclamation point (!) to the end of each password.
If you have any questions, please contact Staci Percy or Ted McCulloch.
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 Presbytery Office Closed
The presbytery office will be closed the week between Christmas and New Year (December 26-30) and will reopen at 9:00am on Monday, January 2, 2012.
The staff would like to wish everyone a very blessed holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your Presbytery Staff!
Louise, Andrea, Ted, Valerie, Staci and Rose
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 Free Resources
Following an inventory of the presbytery's Resource Center this fall we now have numerous items available for free to anyone who would like them. Items include videos, books, VBS kits and other resources.
For a complete list click here or visit the Resource Center page of our website.
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 2012 Mileage Information
The IRS has announced the 2012 Mileage rates effective January 1, 2012.
The standard business mileage rate for 2012 remains at 55.5 cents per mile (excludes commuting miles). The medical and moving rate has changed to 23 cents per mile. The charitable rate remains at 14 cents per mile. This information can also be found on the Forms and Brochures page of our website in the Financial Information section. |
 George Granberry Included In Group Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal
So why can't the normally quiet and reserved George Granberry (Elder at Flint-Trinity United) stop smiling? If you attended the December presbytery meeting you may have had the pleasure of seeing our much-loved but typically very quiet George smiling from ear-to-ear and showing everyone around him something very special...a letter from President Obama congratulating him on being a part of a rare group, those that have earned the Congressional Gold Medal. It is the nation's highest civilian honor and it took nearly 70 years to earn. George Granberry was part of the Montford Point Marines during World War II. These men were the first African Americans to serve in the marines - the last branch of the military to accept them. Continue reading... |
 Advent Service
The congregation of Bay City-Westminster invites all to attend a very special Advent service on Wednesday, December 14th at 7:00pm at their church. They will present Andrew Peterson's "Behold The Lamb of God: The True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ".
The church is located at 103 E. Midland Street in Bay City.
Click here for a printable flier.
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 Fenton-First Dedication and Celebration of Building Renovations
The congregation of Fenton-First invites everyone to join them on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 11am for a time of dedication and celebration of their recently completed building renovations. This is the culmination of over 10 years of dreaming and hard work. The expansion gives them a new space to grow existing and future ministries. Worship begins at 11am followed by the first dinner served in their new Fellowship Hall. For more information please contact the church at 810.629-7801.
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 2012 Costa Rican Encounter
In cooperation with the Presbyterian Church in Costa Rica (IEPC) and the Latin American Biblical University (UBL) we invite you to study, dialogue and travel in Costa Rica. This encounter is an opportunity to enrich your connections with the church world-wide. This will occur through fellowship and dialogue with Christian brothers and sisters who are doing the work of Christ in their communities. The group will learn about various aspects of culture and gain understanding of the history of the Christian church and its various communities of faith in Costa Rica. Participants will learn about the ministries of the churches and the University, a leading protestant seminary in Latin America. Participants will be seeing how the money raised through the "Two Coins a Meal" program is put into action, while visiting various IEPC sponsored feeding programs. There will also be an opportunity to learn how the Presbyterian Church is supporting the University as it works to train people for Christian ministries. The trip is sponsored by Flushing Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant. The trip is scheduled for July 28 through August 6, 2012. The cost of the trip is estimated at $550 plus airfare. For more information please contact: Flushing Presbyterian Church Phone: (810) 659-5831- with office hours from 9am to 3pm
Click here for a printable flier.
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 Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University
Begins January 8 (13 week course)
6:00pm
Financial Peace University teaches you how to make the right decisions with your money and empowers you with the practical skills and confidence needed to achieve your financial goals and experience true financial peace! Over one million families have already benefited from this life-changing program that:
Teaches financial responsibility with easy Baby Steps
Helps eliminate debt using the Debt Snowball
Offers accountability and continued support with lifetime membership
Trains participants to spend every dollar on paper with the zero-based budget planner
Empowers people struggling with financial hardships by establishing a plan to take control of their money
Walk step by step through all 13 of Dave's life-changing lessons
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 Ashes To Fire: The Transformation of Our Souls led by Tom Long
February 18
8:30am to 3:30pm
Lent/Easter/Pentecost: Ashes to Fire is an opportunity for the transformation of our souls. As Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are retold,Jesus' story becomes our story. May our hearts be open to the touch of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. How can this season be different from previous Easter cycles? This day retreat on Transfiguration Weekend is designed to open new avenues of transformation.
Session One: "The Churches at the Four Corners" We will spend some time sitting in the pews of the Church of St. Mark, the
Church of St. Matthew, the Church of St. Luke,and the Church of St. John. How do each of these congregations understand the gospel and the nature of the Christian life? What resources for the Lenten journey can each of the churches provide?
Session Two: "Out of the Depths: Praying with the Psalms in Lent"
We will explore the psalms as sources of strength and faith in the "winter seasons" of our life.
Session Three: "Something Old, Something New: Faithful and Vital Worship in a Windstorm of Change"
In a time when worship styles and changes are swirling around in the church, we will examine some ancient traditions that are worth holding onto and some places where the Spirit is doing a new thing among us.Cost: $12.00 Please contact the church office at 810.234.8673 to sign-up by February 13, 2012.First Presbyterian Church 746 S. Saginaw St. Flint, MI 48502 www.fpcf.org810.234.8673
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 Alma Youth Mix 2012: Take Up Your Shield
Alma College
March 9-11, 2012
Teens Grades 9-12 and Adult Leaders
$50 early bird special includes meals and a t-shirt The Alma Youth Mix is a Senior High youth event sponsored by Alma College, Lake Michigan Presbytery, and Lake Huron Presbytery. It is held on the Alma College campus in central Michigan. The Alma Youth Mix is held annually to provide a Spiritual event for youth and to provide a fun time to meet Senior High youth from other Churches in the Area. We provide a Keynoter, Small Group activities, Music, Freetime, Dance and plenty of excellent food. The event begins on Friday at 8:00 and ends Sunday at 12:30. We sleep on the floors of the gym and the weightrooms and eat at the Hamilton Commons Cafeteria. There is time for fellowship, spiritual growth, playing and relaxing. For more information click here to visit their website. |
 Camp Greenwood Looking For Program Director
Camp Greenwood would like to hire a Program Director. This part-time position would start in January for 10 hours a week and become full time in June. This position runs from January to mid-August. For a complete job desciption and details email campgreenwood@gmail.com. Camp Greenwood is asking if congregations will please consider including this in their bulletins and newsletters. |
APCE Comes To Grand Rapids in 2012
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 APCE Annual Conference To Be Held in Grand Rapids
"God's miracles are staggering, God's wonders are surprising. God's kingdom lasts and lasts, God's sovereign rule goes on forever." --Daniel 4:3 (The Message)
The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) will hold their annual event in Grand Rapids, MI February 1-4, 2012. "God's Surprising Wonders" is the theme of the event and features many distinguished presenters, including:
- Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
- Rev. Dr. Carol Bechtel
- Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes
- Ms. Shari LeMonnier
The Rev. Susan Davis Krummel will preach during the opening worship and the Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes will preach during the closing worship.
Complete details can be found by clicking here.
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Presbyterian News Service
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 Connect With Other Churches In The Lake Huron Presbytery
There are so many wonderful things going on in all of our congregations. Several of our churches have set up Facebook pages to help spread the good news not only to their members but to all who may be interested. Liking other church Facebook pages is a great way to connect with others in the presbytery and to share ideas with each other. Here are some of the churches that have Facebook pages:
Alma-First
Bay City-Westminster
Caro-First
Deckerville-First
Flint-First
Lapeer-First
Linden
Midland-Memorial
Saginaw-Second
Saginaw-Warren Avenue
Sandusky
Vassar-First
Others have group pages that you have to request to join. Those include:
Holly
Mt. Pleasant-First
If your congregation has a page and it is not listed here, please contact Staci Percy at spercy@presbylh.org. |
 'Like' Us On Facebook
The presbytery has a Facebook page and would like you to join us. Get updates and information faster. Connect with others to share ideas and to post information about events happening in your congregation. Join us today! |
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Staci Percy
Communications Manager/Recording Clerk
spercy@presbylh.org
989-799-7481 x2
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